Politics · United States · 2 hrs ago
US lawmakers say Russia is targeting candidates with election misinformation
US lawmakers say Russia is running an online campaign to influence November’s midterm elections by spreading misinformation about candidates.
Senators Mark Warner and Representative Jim Himes said an intelligence briefing described efforts targeting Democrats, while another account said candidates from both parties who support Ukraine were targeted.
AI-generated ads have singled out Senate candidates Jon Ossoff in Georgia and James Talarico in Texas, according to Warner.
The campaign is also meant to undermine trust in elections and create confusion, the lawmakers said.
Himes said there was no evidence that foreign countries could break into US election systems and change results.
The lawmakers said they could not share more about the briefing because its details are classified.
The election security concerns continue as voters prepare to choose members of Congress in November.
US lawmakers Mark Warner and Jim Himes said Russia is running an online misinformation campaign targeting candidates who support Ukraine ahead of the November midterm elections.
They said the campaign seeks to undermine support for Ukraine and weaken trust in the integrity of US elections.
The lawmakers said artificial intelligence has helped Russian operatives target Americans more effectively.
They identified Senate candidates Jon Ossoff in Georgia and James Talarico in Texas as particular targets of AI-generated ads.
The details of the intelligence briefing behind their claims are classified.
- Who
- Senator Mark Warner and Representative Jim Himes described the alleged campaign. They said Russia was behind it.
- What
- The lawmakers said Russia was using online misinformation, including AI-generated ads, to target candidates and undermine trust in elections.
- When
- They spoke on October 21, 2026, ahead of the November midterm elections.
- Where
- The campaign targets US candidates and voters. The briefing was in Washington, DC.
- Why
- The lawmakers said the campaign aimed to undermine US backing for Ukraine and sow distrust in election integrity.
US lawmakers
Russian government
Alleged election activity
US lawmakers
Warner and Himes said Russia was running an online misinformation campaign targeting Democrats and candidates who support Ukraine.
Russian government
Moscow did not respond to requests for comment on the current allegations; it has previously denied meddling in US elections.
Election influence
US lawmakers
Himes said there was a robust influence environment but no evidence that any country could penetrate US election systems and change results.
Russian government
Not stated.
President Donald Trump waived sanctions passed by bipartisan legislation aimed at countries that purchase Russian energy.
Warner and Himes said an intelligence briefing had shown Russia was targeting Democrats with misinformation ahead of the midterm elections.
Three teams of disinformation researchers said AI-generated videos targeting Talarico were likely made by a Russian government-backed group.
- Lawmakers
- Senator Mark Warner and Representative Jim Himes
- Election
- US midterm elections in November 2026
- Targeted candidates
- Jon Ossoff in Georgia and James Talarico in Texas
- Briefing official
- Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton
- Campaign methods
- Online misinformation and AI-generated ads
3 sources
For weeks, deepfake celebrities have been telling Americans not to vote for Democrats in the midterm elections. U.S. intelligence says Russia is behind it.
Russian disinformation campaign targets pro-Ukraine candidates ahead of midterms, lawmakers say
Lawmakers say US briefing showed Russia targeting Democrats with misinformation
What people are saying
And the state of play, I would argue, is that, you know, Russia, similar to prior occasions, is going after Democrats
The Russians are kind of throwing everything out there
Chaos, you know, don’t trust your voting machines.
Nothing out there suggests that there is even the capability or the intent to do interference, whereas there is a pretty robust influence environment